Nine soldiers injured after Swiss Army armoured vehicle tips over during exercise
An armoured personnel carrier of Infantry Battalion 20 skidded off the road between Challhöchi and Ifenthal and flipped onto its side, injuring all nine soldiers aboard.
The accident
On the morning of 11 June 2026, a protected troop transport vehicle (GMTF) of the Swiss Army’s Infantry Battalion 20 came off the road between Challhöchi and Ifenthal in the canton of Solothurn. The vehicle was travelling from Challhöchi towards Ifenthal during a military exercise when, for reasons still unknown, it left the carriageway and tipped onto its side. No other vehicles were involved. An alarm was received by emergency services at 10:47.
- Emergency services receive alarm about a vehicle accident between Challhöchi and Ifenthal.
- Shortly before 11:00, the GMTF goes off the road and tips onto its side, injuring all nine soldiers inside.
Casualties and response
All nine occupants of the vehicle were injured. Seven soldiers sustained moderate injuries and two were lightly hurt, according to army spokesperson Stefan Hofer.
The injured were taken to various hospitals for medical care and checks. Two Rega rescue helicopters, dispatched from Basel and Bern-Belp, as well as multiple ambulance teams, attended the scene.Seven soldiers were moderately injured and two others lightly injured — these were all the occupants of the vehicle.
Military exercise context
The Infantry Battalion 20 was carrying out a repetition course (Wiederholungskurs) at the time of the crash. The unit is part of the large-scale army formation exercise “Conex 26”, which involves around 3,500 army personnel in north-western Switzerland. The exercise was ongoing when the accident occurred.
Investigation and aftercare
The military justice has opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident. The armed forces also announced that psychological support would be offered to the injured, their families and the troops if needed.
